Exploring the expansive realms of Vanaheim in God of War Ragnarok introduces players to numerous optional side quests known as Favors. Among the most intriguing secondary activities in the Crater region are the Casualties of War missions, which flesh out the tragic lore of the realm while offering incredible gear. Successfully locating these spirits and reunited their broken mementos provides valuable items that enhance Kratos during endgame activities.
How to Unlock the Crater and Start the Favors
Before players can tackle these specific spirit quests, they must first complete the Scent of Survival Favor to gain access to the hidden Crater region. This sprawling optional area features unique day and night mechanics that directly affect which pathways are open to exploration. Navigating to the northern reaches of Vanaheim opens up a wealth of tactical combat encounters and puzzle opportunities.
Once inside the Crater, players will naturally encounter translucent spirits crying out for assistance across the varying biomes. Interacting with the initial half of a shattered item immediately triggers one of the five distinct Casualty of War objectives. Tracking down the remaining halves requires a keen eye for environmental details and careful backtracking through monster-infested ruins.
Locating the Five Spirit Mementos
The questline is divided into five individual parts named after the specific tokens you must assemble: The Brooch, The Stein, The Toy, The Hourglass, and The Scroll. For instance, completing the Toy quest requires searching the jungle area during both daytime and nighttime phases. Players will need to use their celestial altar regularly to alter the environment and clear away overgrown brambles blocking hidden passages.
Another notable section involves finding the missing pieces of the Stein, which leads Kratos deep into the Plains region near a dragon hunt arena. Each sub-quest forces players to confront localized enemy ambushes upon picking up the final token piece. Defeating these aggressive spectral guardians is mandatory to officially clear the objective from the regional map tracker.
Valuable Armor and Crafting Rewards
Completing these objectives provides a substantial boost to Kratos by awarding large amounts of experience points for both characters. More importantly, returning these mementos allows players to gain access to the legendary Wishing Well location. Throwing the gathered crystalline shards into the well yields rare upgrade materials like Asgardian Ingot and Purified Crystalline.
Furthermore, these resources are essential for maxing out high-tier armor sets that maximize defensive capabilities against late-game bosses. Taking the extra time to help these forgotten souls significantly smooths out your progression curve before the final story chapters. Exploring every corner of Vanaheim ultimately rewards patient adventurers with peak battlefield versatility.